Pensioners, activists, large families: who made it onto the list of 250 pardoned political prisoners
As a result of negotiations with US Special Envoy John C. Koell, Lukashenka pardoned 250 people on March 19. 15 political prisoners were expelled from the country without documents, while 235 remained in Belarus. Political prisoners began to be released from colonies and "chemia" (open-type correctional facilities) the next day. All pardoned individuals were on the List of political prisoners and those convicted in politically motivated criminal cases, maintained by human rights defenders. "Viasna" analyzed the list of pardoned individuals and reports on which political prisoners were affected by this decision.
Illustrative photo. Photo: "Nasha Niva"
51 women pardoned
The list of pardoned individuals includes 51 women and 199 men. Of these, 50 women were sentenced to imprisonment in a penal colony, and one to "chemia". Three women were expelled from the country — two human rights defenders and one journalist.
14 years and 9 months — the maximum sentence for a pardoned political prisoner
This is the sentence of Marfa Rabkova, coordinator of the "Viasna" Volunteer Service. She was held behind bars for more than five and a half years in a penal colony. Politologist Valerya Kostiugova, who was sentenced to 10 years in a penal colony, was also pardoned.
At least 34 pardoned individuals were sentenced to two and two and a half years of imprisonment. Some of them were detained in 2024 — their terms should have ended soon. For example, Aliaksandra Shabunya was detained on December 25, 2024, and sentenced to two years in a penal colony under Art. 342 of the Criminal Code. On October 31, 2024, Anastasiya Sikirytskaya was detained in the "yard chats case". She was sentenced to two years in a penal colony, which ends this year. The situation is similar for Liudmila Ksiandzova and many others.
Also among the pardoned are many who had just been transferred to penal colonies after their appeals against their sentences were considered.
The youngest of the released political prisoners are 20 years old, the oldest are 70 years old
Three pardoned political prisoners are only 20 years old. These are Stanislau Amelianiuk from Zhabinka, convicted for "mocking state symbols"; Uladzislau Horski from Hrodna region, sentenced to "chemia" for "abetting extremist activity"; Aliaksandr Markin from Babruisk, sentenced to "home chemia" in the "Hayun case".
Mikita Zalataryou, who is now 21, was expelled from the country. The young man was detained when he was still 16 years old — on August 11, 2020. Mikita suffers from epilepsy. He reported that three days before his release, he was on an IV drip. He was released directly from the punitive solitary confinement unit (SHIZA).
The oldest female political prisoner is 70 years old. This is Alena Viarbitskaya, sentenced to a penal colony for solidarity with political prisoners.
In total, the list of pardoned individuals includes 17 people over 60 years old. According to human rights defenders, at least 12 pardoned political prisoners are of retirement age.
At least 84 political prisoners were detained in 2025
According to "Viasna", at least 84 political prisoners were detained last year. Those detained in 2024 — at least 76 political prisoners. Six political prisoners had been in detention since 2021.
Nine people were detained back in 2020 and held behind bars for more than five years. All, except Aliaksei Melnikau from Mahiliou, were expelled from the country. Among them are Kiryl Kaziej, sentenced to seven years of imprisonment; Dzmitry Kubrakou, who was detained on August 11, 2020, and sentenced to eight years in a penal colony. Blogger Eduard Palchys, sentenced to 13 years, was also pardoned — he was detained on September 27, 2020. Kim Samusenka, who was detained on November 3, 2020, was also expelled from Belarus.
At least 31 political prisoners sentenced to "chemia"
According to "Viasna", at least 31 political prisoners from the list of pardoned individuals were sentenced to restriction of liberty with referral to an open-type correctional institution ("chemia"). Among them is Andrei Nestsiarevich, owner of the Hrodna ethno-shop "Tsudounia". He was sent to serve an eighteen-month term for participating in protests at Vitebsk PUAT No. 9. On the afternoon of March 20, he was sent home from work.
At least 8 people sentenced to "home chemia" — most in the "Hayun case"
According to "Viasna", at least eight political prisoners from the list of pardoned individuals were sentenced to restriction of liberty without referral to an open-type correctional institution ("home chemia"). Among them are seven defendants in the "Hayun case": Uladzimir Patapenka, Khakberdi Mamedau, Aliaksandr Markin, Aliaksandr Labuzau, Aliaksei Drupau, Aliaksandr Duleba, Dzmitry Tsaruk. Also pardoned was swimmer and candidate for master of sports, Dzmitry Shchamer, sentenced to "home chemia" for participating in protest actions.
Defendants in the "yard chats case"
In the "yard chats case", 27 political prisoners were released, most of whom are women. Among them are 53-year-old Volha Matusevich, 46-year-old Tatsiana Minets, 58-year-old Rita Naumava, 62-year-old Maryna Pietrazhytskaya.
Also on the list of pardoned individuals is 58-year-old political prisoner Maret Valiuk. The woman has a second non-working disability group, a removed thyroid gland, and needs regular medication. Maret was detained in the "yard chats case" in autumn 2024. She was accused of "creating an extremist formation" (Art. 361-1) and sentenced to two and a half years in a penal colony in summer 2025.
Maria Dzeychyk, who was released, was awaited by three children. She was detained in October 2024 and accused in the "chats case" under Part 3 of Art. 361-1 of the Criminal Code (creation of an extremist formation or participation in it) and Part 1 of Art. 130 of the Criminal Code (incitement to enmity or discord). She was sentenced to two years and nine months in a penal colony, as well as a fine of 1,000 basic units.
Political prisoners with serious health problems
At least nine pardoned political prisoners had serious health problems and disabilities. For example, Ihar Shumilau has a third-group disability — he previously had a car accident and lost a leg, and also has a serious problem with his right arm. He was sentenced to four and a half years in a penal colony.
Journalist Aleh Supruniuk, also on the list, has a hearing disability. In the penal colony, he was not allowed to use a hearing aid. For this reason, Aleh heard almost nothing and had huge problems communicating with other people. He was sentenced to three years in a penal colony for "participating in an extremist formation".
Relatives of five pardoned individuals remain behind bars
Some of the released individuals still have relatives and loved ones behind bars. For example, the deported journalist Katsiaryna Bakhvalava (Andreeva) has her husband Ihar Ilyash detained, who was sentenced to four years in a penal colony for journalistic activity. The father of 21-year-old Mikita Zalataryou, Mikhail Lapunou, is also behind bars.
Siarhei Daronin, pardoned and convicted in the "yard chats case", still has his wife Natallia, who was convicted in the same case, in the penal colony.
Three human rights defenders expelled from the country
On March 19, Viasna Deputy Chairman and former FIDH Vice-President Valiantsin Stefanovich, Viasna Volunteer Service Coordinator Marfa Rabkova, and Human Constanta human rights defender Nasta Loika were pardoned.
Marfa Rabkova was detained on September 17, 2020. She was held behind bars for five and a half years. Later, the human rights defender was sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment and a huge fine. Marfa's health severely deteriorated in detention.
Valiantsin Stefanovich was held behind bars for over four years and eight months. On July 14, 2021, he was detained along with Uladz Labkovich and Ales Bialiatski. In March 2023, the Viasna members received long sentences: Uladz — 7 years in a penal colony, Valiantsin — 9 years in a penal colony, Ales — 10 years in a penal colony.
Nasta Loika was held in detention for over three years and three months. In June 2023, the Minsk City Court sentenced the political prisoner to 7 years in a penal colony for preparing a report on "Persecution of anarchists, anti-fascists, leftists, and social activists in Belarus". Nasta faced pressure in detention: in late summer 2025, Nasta was placed in a cell-type room for six months.
Five journalists pardoned
On March 19, Belsat journalist Katsiaryna Bakhvalava (Andreeva) was expelled from the country. She was detained after a live broadcast from the scene of a brutal crackdown by security forces on demonstrators in "Square of Changes" in Minsk on November 15, 2020. The journalist was sentenced to two years in a penal colony. In 2022, Katsiaryna was sentenced to 8 years and three months in a penal colony for "treason against the state".
Four more political prisoner journalists were pardoned and remained in Belarus: Anton Kazielski, Aliaksandr Marchanka, Aleh Supruniuk, Dzmitry Navazhylau. All, except the last one, were sentenced to three years in a penal colony. Dzmitry, the former director of the BelaPAN news agency, was sentenced to eight years in a penal colony.
At least 42 defendants in the "Hayun case"
According to "Viasna", at least 42 political prisoners were released in the "Hayun case". Among them are those sentenced to a penal colony, "chemia", and "home chemia".
Russian citizen Yaroslava Khromchankava also made it onto the list of pardoned individuals. The Homiel Regional Court sentenced her to three years of imprisonment in a penal colony under general regime conditions.
Also released was the coordinator of the "Angel" search and rescue squad, who was imprisoned for "abetting extremism". Maksim Fiodarovich was sentenced to three years of imprisonment in a penal colony under general regime conditions. The man was tried for nine instances of transferring data to "Hayun". He was also fined 500 basic units.
Viasna human rights defenders note that arrests and trials in this case are still ongoing. "Viasna" has information on at least 183 confirmed defendants in the case who have been taken into custody. The total number of detainees is significantly larger — human rights defenders are aware of a number of detentions that have occurred in recent weeks.
15 convicted for solidarity with political prisoners
According to "Viasna", 13 women and two men who were convicted for solidarity with political prisoners were pardoned. Some of the pardoned women are over 50 years old: Natallia Zhyhar from Brest, convicted for solidarity with political prisoners, is 69 years old; Alena Viarbitskaya is 70; Alena Taparkova is 55; Volha Lotsmanava is 53; Aksana Liapko is 51.
Also pardoned was 61-year-old political prisoner Natallia Ladutska, who was found guilty last year of "abetting extremist activity" and sentenced to four years of imprisonment and a fine of 600 basic units (24,000 rubles).
Another pardoned individual is Natallia Davydulina, a mother of many children. She and her husband have a large family — five children, one of whom is still in primary school. One of Natallia's sons, Dzianis Davydulin, is a former political prisoner. He was detained in March 2021 and sentenced to one and a half years in a penal colony in a politically motivated case. Natallia was detained during a "raid of solidarity" with political prisoners on January 23-24, 2024. As a result, she was sentenced to three years of imprisonment in a general regime penal colony.
In January 2024, KGB officers in Belarus carried out mass searches, interrogations, and detentions of relatives and loved ones of political prisoners, as well as former political prisoners. The reason was assistance to families of political prisoners, including from the "INeedHelpBY" initiative, which the authorities had previously recognized as an "extremist formation".
The name of political prisoner Aliaksandr Lykshyn is also on the list. He was tried twice in politically motivated cases, most recently in the case of the "pismo.bel" initiative. Two other defendants in this case — Aliaksandr Mazura and Pavel Karaniukhin — remain in detention. "Pismo.bel" is a service for sending letters to prisoners, used by thousands of Belarusians. The initiative was recognized as an "extremist formation" after the political prisoners were already detained. The defendants were sentenced to imprisonment under Art. 361-1 of the Criminal Code (creation of an extremist formation or participation in it).
Three political prisoners tried in the "Revolutionary Action case". All of them were deported
In the "Revolutionary Action case", three political prisoners were pardoned and expelled from the country: Aliaksandr Kazlianka, Pavel Shpetny, and human rights defender Marfa Rabkova, who was tried alongside them. Aliaksandr and Pavel were detained on March 2, 2021, as part of a criminal case initiated against anarchist movement activists from the Brest region. As a result, they were sentenced to seven and a half and eight years in a penal colony, respectively.
None of the deported individuals had their passports returned.
11 political prisoners convicted for donations
According to "Viasna", 11 political prisoners from the list of pardoned individuals were convicted for donations ("financing extremist activity"). These include 57-year-old Ihar Hubarevich, sentenced to "chemia"; 56-year-old Zhanna Dashkevich, sentenced to a penal colony; 47-year-old Pavel Kharytonau, sentenced to five years in a penal colony. Among them is also 31-year-old Nadzeya Karankevich — she was sentenced to five and a half years in a penal colony for donations. 37-year-old Alena Shapkins, who was sentenced to five years of imprisonment for donations, was to be released from the women's penal colony.
Uladzimir Sitkovich, 58, who was sentenced to three years in a penal colony for donations, was also pardoned. It is known that Uladzimir has health problems. Several years ago, he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor, which was surgically removed. However, after his detention, no medical examinations were conducted, nor was he allowed to take medication. Also, shortly before his arrest, the political prisoner was hospitalized due to blood pressure problems.
At least 28 convicted for participation in protests
According to "Viasna", at least 28 pardoned political prisoners were convicted for participating in protest actions throughout Belarus. Among them is Siarhei Maushuk, a defendant in the "Pinsk case". He was sentenced to six and a half years in a penal colony for participating in protests in Pinsk. His wife, Alena Maushuk, was pardoned and deported in February 2025.